Simeojst t



(No Model.)

S. T. JENKINS.

KNOOKDOWN FRUIT BOX.

Fig 1 Witnesses hmexf'tov 2M & g F

NITED STATES PATENT Denies,

SIMEON T. JENKINS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS J. MCGUIRE, OF SAME PLACE.

KNOCKDOWN FRUIT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent him-318,937, dated May 26, 1885 Application filcd April '7, 1885. (No model.)

To @543 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIMEoN T. JENKINS, of Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Fruit-Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification, in which Figure l is a vertical cross-section of a crate having my improved ventilating-strips applied. Fig. 2 is a top view of one of the coveringpartitions with the side pieces extended. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the side pieces in position. Fig. 4 is a view ofone of the covering-partitions divided into compartments by the slips. Fig. 5 is a view of these slips. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a crate provided with my improved packing de vice.

This invention relates to improvements in boxes to pack fruit, vegetables, or other perishable material; and its object is to provide means for perfectly ventilating said material while being transported, so that the same will not spoil, decay, or mash.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by letter, A represents a rectangular crate made of light planking and slats, such as laths.

B are transverse horizontal partitions.

b are circular openings at equal distances apart in the partitions B. The openings 1) are arranged in regular lines in the partition, bot-h longitudinally and laterally.

The partitions 13 separate the tiers of cells. Each tier of cells is formed by the transverse vertical slips 0 and the similar slips D, engaging the former at right angles.

The partitions B, O, and D are made preferably of pastcboard, or may be of any suitable material. The partitions G and D are each provided along one edge with the recesses or slits c and (1, respectively, by means of which recesses or slits the partitions are engaged together to form a tier of cells, E, the said cells being of such size that the corners of each will stand upon four openings Z; in the underlying partition 13. The openings 6 in the overlying partition B are vertically over the corners of the cells and over the similar openings in the underlying partitions.

F are semicircular notches made on both edges of the strip 0 at equal distances from 5 each other, and at points corresponding to the engaging slits o. F are similar notches on the partition D. lVhen the partitions C and D are engaged, the notches F and F will cross eachother at right angles, as shown, and lie respectively above and below the openings b in the overlying and underlying partitions B. Thus there is free communication between the tiers of cells through the openings 2) and between the adjacent cells, both in the same and in adjoining tiers through the notches F F.

The partitions B are rectangularly notched at the corners, as shown, forming the edge portions G, which, when the partition and su- 7o perincumbent tier of cells are inserted in the crate,are turned up against the adjacent ends of the partitions C and D, thus holding the latter well in place.

If desired, re-eniorcing strips of cloth H ,5 (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2) may be attached to the surface of the partitions B over the bending lines of the edge portions G, to prevent the latter from breaking at said lines by usage.

The fruit is packed singly in the cells E, and is thereby kept from contact, while thorough ventilation both vertically and laterally is afforded through the openings 1) and the notches F and F. 8 5

Any number of series of overlying cells E may be packed in a crate and transported safely to any distance.

Having described my invention, I claim The combination, with a partition, 13, provided with the openings b, of the vertical partitions 0, provided with the slits cand notches F, and the partitions D, provided with the slits d and notches F, the notches F and F intersecting each other and lying immediately adjacent to the openings b, substantially as speci fied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Iaffix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

. S. T. JEXKINS.

Witnesses:

T. H. ALEXANDER, XV. It. Knvwoncrn. 

